Rio: India take on mighty Germans in hockey
August 08, 2016  08:28
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A win in the opening match of the Olympics after a hiatus of 12 years, notwithstanding, Indian men's hockey team will have to lift their game by a notch if they want to challenge the might of reigning Olympic champions Germany in their second pool 'B' match today. 

India were made to toil hard by minnows Ireland on Saturday to register a fighting 3-2 win, their first in the sporting extravaganza in 12 years.

Going by world rankings, India (5th) were the clear favourites to dominate the match against Ireland (12th). 

Expectedly, the PR Sreejesh-led side started on a bright note and played to their potential in the for majority of the match but they handed the initiative to their opponents in the final quarter.

But on Monday, the Indians cannot afford to commit the same mistakes against the Germans, who will be eyeing a hat-trick of Olympic golds having pocketed the yellow metal in the last two Games in 2008 Beijing and 2012 London. 

Their record against Germany at the Olympics also doesn't go in India's favour. India last won a match against Germany in the Olympics way back in the 1996 Atlanta Games where they registered a 3-0 win in the opening match.
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